Aravani Art Project

Aravani Art Project is an artist collective from India led by transwomen and cis women. The name of the collective is derived from Lord Aravan, the patron god who is a significant figure for transgender communities called Alis (also Aravani in Tamil, and Hijra throughout South Asia).

With a practice based primarily in public spaces, Aravani Art Project’s mission is to bring visibility, challenge stigmatized ideals and subvert systematic discrimination perpetuated against transgender, gender non-conforming and queer individuals. The collaborative and participatory approach toward making art enables access for the community to congregate and create a space that celebrates intersectionality through visual art. It becomes a tool for expression, story telling and consciousness. 

Using their work as a platform, Aravani Art Project encourages members to participate in the process of creativity and voice their opinions to be an active part of society. The visual stories that surface; of lived realities and freedom, become the voice for rights and empowerment to imagine a more colourful world.